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Dangote Refinery : Abiodun blames predecessor for loss to Lagos

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The Ogun state Governor, Dapo Abiodun has clarified that he is not responsible for the loss of Dangote Refinery to Lagos as the world class project was initially negotiated to be established in Ogun state.

The statement by the chief press Secretary to the governor , Kunle Somorin reads: ” Our attention has been drawn to a report credited to a PDP stalwart, Segun Sowunmi, heaping blames on the successive administrations in the state, for losing a N19bn Dangote
Refinery to the neighbouring Lagos State.

“Any true born Ogun indigene will sincerely be pained by the huge investment loss, especially when Ogun had been marked as the most suitable natural location for the mega project in Olokola Free Trade Zone, in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state.

“As we are all aware, penultimate administration made appreciable and concerted efforts to ensure that the Olokola deep sea port and other ancillary projects in the OKFTZ, become a reality, by rallying major players in the oil and gas sector, including Dangote Group.” The governor said.

But, the successive government between 2011 and 2019, for reasons best known to it, killed the project and frustrated the promoter of Dangote Refinery out of the state.

The CPS further explained that ” The present governor, Dapo Abiodun, served as the Chairman of the Committee on the Olokola Free Trade Zone projects during the first term of the immediate past governor.

“Governor Abiodun, as the chairman of the committee and a big player in the oil and gas industry himself, did everything possible to make sure the project saw the light of the day.

“A former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun was then a commissioner and served on the committee, which engaged Dangote on the mega project.

“Aliko Dangote is still very much around and can be asked to shed more light on Gov. Abiodun’s role that he alluded to in his testimonial at the commissioning.

“He is alive to speak on how he was frustrated, despite Prince Abiodun’s pleas and multiple interventions that fell on the deaf ears of the then governor.

“The then governor, perhaps, having a personal axe to grind with the promoter of the refinery project, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, frustrated all the efforts of Governor Abiodun and his committee.

“Instead of showing enthusiasm towards hosting the project in the state, the former governor brazenly opposed and obstructed the efforts of the Abiodun-led committee in ensuring that the OKFTZ came into fruition”

“Having become governor in 2019, it is on record that Governor Dapo Abiodun had always rued the missed opportunity, and he’d embarked on efforts in reawakening the OKFTZ. At different forums, the governor had made it known that the Olokola project is a gold mine waiting to be tapped by the state.”

Apart from that, he has continued to shop for would-be investors to bring the project to life. His administration has not relented in bringing net-worth players in oil and gas as well as maritime, to ensure that the natural resources in OKFTZ such as bitumen, natural deep seaport, marine and natural gas are tapped for the economic development of Ogun State.

“Even before Aliko Dangote declared on Monday at the official commissioning of the refinery in Lagos that Ogun was the next port of call, Governor Abiodun was already wooing Dangote to reconsider the Gateway State.”

He further stated that Dangote has been a resourceful partner in the “Building our future together” agenda of Prince Abiodun. This is evident in his partnership on the reconstruction of the Sagamu Interchange – Papalanto – Obele Road and the provision of an alternate road from Epe to Ijebu-Ode

“Conclusively, Governor Abiodun-led administration can never be held either directly or vicariously responsible for the loss of Dangote Refinery. All Ogun State indigenes know the administration that worked against the economic development of the state, all in the name of bad politics and shenanigans.”

Somorin Therefore said that Governor Abiodun’s government should be applauded for working to revive OKFTZ.

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Ikangba Community Urges Ogun Governor to Intervene in Land Crisis, Cites Threat to Lives The people of Ikangba Community in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State have appealed to the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to urgently intervene in an escalating land dispute which they alleged had resulted in harassment, sporadic shootings and threats to the lives of residents. The community made the appeal at a press conference, where its representatives expressed concern that continued activities by individuals they described as alleged land grabbers could further threaten the peace and security of the area. According to the Oluweri Osundekun, secretary of the Yeye-imule Family Descendants Of Ijebu-ode who addressed the press said that the crisis had also involved the alleged deployment of security personnel in attempts to take possession of its ancestral land, prompting the intervention of security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force. The community alleged that two of its indigenes were previously arrested and detained at the DSS office in Abeokuta in connection with the dispute, but were later released after documentary evidence supporting the community’s position was presented and reviewed. It further claimed that the DSS Director, after hearing from the parties and examining the circumstances surrounding the dispute, warned those involved against actions capable of disrupting peace in Ikangba. The community said a similar intervention was made by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, who reportedly invited the parties, listened to their positions and warned the alleged land grabbers to stay away from the disputed property. Despite these interventions, the community alleged that harassment had continued, with reports of maiming and sporadic shooting on the disputed land. The people of Ikangba also alleged that the alleged land grabbers enjoyed the backing of the Idowa traditional institution, particularly the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adefuwape, whom they accused of contributing to the persistence of the crisis. However, the community stressed that it was not seeking to prejudge the matter or usurp the powers of the courts and security agencies, but wanted the dispute resolved through lawful and due process. It said it had already approached the Ogun State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force and other relevant security agencies, while also appealing to the state government for intervention. The community therefore urged Governor Abiodun to direct a thorough and impartial investigation into the dispute, protect all parties involved and ensure that ownership of the land was determined through due process. It also called for an immediate halt to the alleged use of security personnel or private agents to intimidate residents, stressing that no individual should be allowed to use influence or connections to dispossess citizens of their ancestral property. The community appealed to the leadership of the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that their personnel were not used, directly or indirectly, to enforce private claims in land disputes. While calling on all parties to sheathe their swords and embrace peaceful resolution, the people of Ikangba warned that nobody should be allowed to enter the disputed land with firearms, threaten residents, maim anyone or engage in sporadic shooting while the matter is being resolved. The community urged the Governor, Commissioner of Police, DSS leadership, Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force and other relevant authorities to act swiftly to prevent further escalation. It said its primary demands were justice, peace and protection, stressing that it did not want violence or confrontation with security agencies or traditional institutions. The community appealed to the media to amplify its concerns, saying urgent intervention was necessary to prevent the crisis from claiming an innocent life. The people of Ikangba maintained that they remained committed to peaceful resolution of the dispute and expressed confidence that the state government would ensure that the rule of law prevailed.

2 Comments

  2. Oyeyemi Oyebanji you on

    What do you expect from someone who wants to cancel Tai Solarin University of Education in Ijebu Ode,politics of one side of Ogun State must not grow,what a colossus loss for Ogun State, it’s painful,no thanks to Ibikunle Amosun and his Co- travellers.

    Reply

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